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UÇKHistory and Memory

International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) · IT-03-66

Prosecutor v. Limaj et al. (Llapushnik camp)

Procedural status: Final judgmentAlleged or adjudicated crimes attributed to individual members of the KLA · The 1998–1999 war

Editorial status: Awaiting verificationDrafted from the cited sources; not yet fully reviewed by the editors.

Procedural status

From investigation to final decision. Where does the case stand today?

Path of the case

Stage 6 of 6: Final

  1. Investigation
  2. Indictment
  3. Trial
  4. First instance
  5. Appeal
  6. Final

Stage 6 of 6: Final

Final

A definitive decision after appeal, or after the time limit for appeal has passed.

Appeal status:The appeal concluded on 27 September 2007; the decisions are final.

Sentences imposed

1 sentenced · by final judgment

  1. 01

    Haradin Bala

    13 years

    (torture, cruel treatment, murder — war crimes)

    Final

A judgment concerning individuals is not automatically a judgment against a people, a war, or every member of an organization.

Outcome for each accused

Convictions(1)

  • Haradin Bala

    Guard at the KLA prison camp in Llapushnik

    Outcome:Conviction

    Sentence:13 years (torture, cruel treatment, murder — war crimes)

    Final

    Early release effective 31 December 2012.

Acquittals(2)

  • Fatmir Limaj

    Alleged KLA commander in the Llapushnik area (command role not proven)

    Outcome:Acquittal

    Final

  • Isak Musliu

    Alleged KLA commander in the area (not proven)

    Outcome:Acquittal

    Final

    On appeal, Judge Schomburg dissented as to Musliu.

Terminated proceedings or withdrawn charges(1)

  • Agim Murtezi

    Named in the initial indictment

    Outcome:Charges withdrawn

    Not applicable

Charges and alleged conduct

According to the indictment, the imprisonment, torture and murder of Albanian and Serb civilian detainees in a KLA camp in Llapushnik, May–July 1998.

Period covered by the charges:About May – 26 July 1998

Charges

  • Imprisonment, torture, inhumane acts, murder (crimes against humanity) — dismissed
  • Cruel treatment, torture, murder (war crimes)

Findings

According to the judgment, the KLA ran a prison camp in a farm compound in Llapushnik with appalling conditions, beatings and torture, and nine prisoners were executed in the Berisha mountains on 25 or 26 July 1998. The crimes-against-humanity charges were dismissed (no widespread or systematic attack proven). Only the guard Haradin Bala was held responsible.

Procedural history

  1. Confirmed indictment

    The initial indictment is confirmed.

  2. Trial opened

    The trial opens.

  3. Trial (first-instance) judgment

    Limaj and Musliu acquitted; Bala sentenced to 13 years.

  4. Appeal judgment

    All appeals dismissed; the judgment is affirmed.

  5. Early release

    Bala granted early release, effective 31 December 2012.

Last verified:

Verification note:Most recent official information: the early-release decision (28 June 2012).

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